Can you have too many friends?

Today I was having lunch with 2 of my 3 closest girlfriends (who I refer to as "the Girlies") and mentioned that I was planning to have lunch next week with a couple of people I met on Twitter and saying how I didn't even think I would stay on Twitter, I just tried it out for fun, but have met some fun new people there and found I really like it.

I don't remember what her exact words were, but she said something like why was I interested in meeting new people, she didn't have enough time for the friends she has already and she just doesn't want any more new friends. She just couldn't understand why I would want to do this.

She is not online, so she doesn't understand that being friends with people online it's easier to "spend time together".  We don't have to hang out in person, we learn about one another through our blogs and interacting through comments and Twitter and e-mail.  And we can do it whenever we have a few spare moments. 

I didn't really answer her or try to justify why I like meeting new people.  But I thought about it, and thought what I would miss if I decided not to have any new friends. 

I have met some of the most amazing people online.  Some of them I've met in person; some I hope to meet in person; and some of them I'll never meet in person.  Some of them I know will be my friends for life.  Some I know I could show up on their doorstep and they would take me in (at least for a night haha).  

They have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, taught me about life, taught me about myself, helped me learn about places I've never been, let me live vicariously through them as they did things I'll probably never get to do, supported me when I've been down, cheered for my successes, grieved with me, prayed for me, gave me advice, and loved me just for me.

I am grateful for all of them, those I am still in contact with and those I'm not.  I wouldn't have missed meeting them for the world, and I don't want to miss out on some of the other amazing people I know I will meet in the future.

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Polarization

We have become so polarized, and instead of getting better, as we presumably evolve toward a more enlightened society, it seems to be getting worse. Blacks vs. Whites. Democrats v. Republicans. Men vs. Women. Conservatives vs. Liberals. Christians vs. Non-Christians. Muslim vs. Jew. Rich vs. Poor. Gay vs. Straight. My sports team vs. Your Sports team.

Everywhere you turn there's someone who thinks they are better than someone else because of one of these things or a hundred other groups.

We have to come together. Polarization keeps us apart. We cannot reach our potential as human beings and as spiritual beings if we continue this way. We must learn from one another, try to see one another's point of view, meet in the middle, look for our common interests, and work for the highest good of everyone. EVERY one. The answers are usually not found in the extreme of either side, but somewhere in the middle. We have to learn to appreciate one another and love one another and learn to live together in such a way that everyone -- EVERY one -- can be happy and free and prosperous.

We don't have to look down at other people to feel better about ourselves.

We really are in this together.